Computed Tomography-Guided Radiofrequency Ablation of the Cervical Dorsal Root Ganglia in 27 Patients with Cervical and Occipital Postherpetic Neuralgia.

BACKGROUND Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is a common complication of herpes zoster virus infection that is associated with intense pain. The present study aimed to investigate the use of computed tomography (CT)-guided radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of the cervical dorsal root ganglia (DRG) for treatment of cervical and occipital PHN in 27 patients at a single center. MATERIAL AND METHODS Twenty-seven patients with PHN in the cervical and/or occipital region were enrolled.

Extracranial Non-Gasserian Ganglion Application of Radiofrequency Thermocoagulation on the Mandibular Branch of the Trigeminal through the Foramen Ovale for Trigeminal Neuralgia.

Background: Percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of the trigeminal Gasserian ganglion via the foramen ovale is still one of the classic treatments for primary trigeminal neuralgia. However, the Gasserian ganglion is deep in the middle cranial fossa. Although it is a structure outside the brain tissue, the puncture needle must enter the encephalic to reach the Gasserian ganglion and so it is difficult to completely avoid the risk of intracranial hemorrhage and infection caused by puncture damage to intracranial blood vessels.